The MVRHS swim team “has been a force to be reckoned with,” head coach Jen Passafiume said of the Island squad that’s sending five swimmers to the sectional championships next weekend.
After setting new school records and taking down Nantucket earlier this season for the first time in program history, Vineyard swimmers showed out at the Cape and Islands league championship with the boys team placing third, and wrapped up the regular season with a win over Durfee at home on Monday.
Headed to the sectional championships in Beverley is Olympia Hall, who will swim in the 50 and 100 freestyles, Christian Flanders in the 50, 100 and 200 free relay along with relay teammates Nathan Cuthbert, Emmett Silva and Kua DeAssis. Flanders’ 50 freestyle and the 200 free relay team have also already qualified for the state championship at MIT on Feb. 19.
On Friday the swim team heads to Sandwich for the last chance meet with hopes of earning additional state, sectional and potentially championship qualifying times.
“Olympia Hall is working to qualify for the state championships, while some of the boys are hoping to add another individual event to sectionals and states,” Coach Passafiume said. “It will be an exciting postseason.”
Vineyard aquatics haven’t been the only untouchable force this year as both the boys hockey and basketball teams have cruised to dominant records with the playoffs squarely in sight. After losing their first three contests, boys hockey won 11 straight while their hardwood companions already clinched at least a share of the Cape and Islands league title with their 13th win of the season over Cape Cod Academy Tuesday.
On Saturday, boys basketball traveled to Nantucket and completed the season sweep with a 47-45 victory. Tuesday was also a close call as the Vineyard escaped with a 60-57 win. Matheus Rodrigues put up another double-double with 15 points and 15 boards. Friday the boys are home against Monomoy, tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
On the ice last week the Vineyard boys showed heart and determination as they came back with four third-period goals to defeat Saint John Paul II on the Cape 5-2. Frankie Paciello scored two goals and had two assists as teammates Nate Averill, Liam Conley and Nick Rego also scored.
On Sunday, purple was home against Plymouth North and Vineyard netminder Zach Mathias made 27 saves in a 2-0 shutout win over the Eagles. Both Vineyard goals came on the powerplay from Paciello and Averill. Up next is a clash with Nantucket as the Whalers are due in town for another showdown. The Vineyard goes for the season sweep with puck drop scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
After the boys take on the Whalers, the action at the ice arena will continue as the girls squad squares off with Latin Academy at 3 p.m. Last Saturday, the girls coasted to a 7-1 win over Dennis-Yarmouth for their 7th win of the season. Emily Coogan and Alana Nevin scored twice while Elle Mone, Grace Cotton and Esme Colon also put the puck in the net for the Vineyard.
Head Coach Geoghan Coogan said all four of his lines were flying around the ice and playing the right way in the win over the Dolphins. Rebecca Mandelli also had her first start in net for the Vineyard. “She was awesome,” Coach Coogan said.
Back on the hardwood, the girls basketball team also completed the season sweep of Nantucket last Saturday with a convincing 52-20 home victory.
“The girls came out really strong, they did a great job,” said head coach Melissa Braillard. “They came out flying and got a lot of fast break opportunities and played great defense.”
Coach Braillard said her team’s in-game communication has been a point of emphasis this season and Saturday’s win displayed their hard work paying off.
“They were doing a great job on their own,” she said.
Delilah Oliver scored 18 points while racking up six steals and three blocks, Maria Andrade had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and also added six steals, and Josie Welch scored eight points with six assists.
Wrapping up last week’s action, the indoor track team sent seven athletes to the MSTCA coaches invitational. Daniel da Silva earned the best finish on the day for the Vineyard with a 2:36.27 time in the 1000 meters, good for second place. Daniel Serpa also competed in the same event and finished fifth with a 2:37.19 time. Camille Brand tied for third in the high jump with a 5-foot leap, Wren Christy finished eighth in the 2 mile with a 11:53.01 time, Eloise Christy placed 11th in the high jump at 4’08, Madison Mello tossed the shot put 29’11.25 for 18th, and Caroline Bettencourt ran the 55 meter dash in 8.10 seconds.
Up next for the indoor track team is the Cape and Islands league championship on Sunday.
Comments (1)
Comments
Comment policy »